Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2004 5:56 am Post subject: should i fill my garage with Jeeps? which do you prefer?

my wife and I own a 1998 Wrangler with the 4cyl engine and so far it's been great. she loves the ability to remove the soft top and have some wind and not get stuck on the steep(ish) SW Virginia hills/mountains. Our minivan is aging and i'm thinking about replacing it with a used Cherokee or even a grand cherokee (the used grand cherokees seem out of my price range... or are they?) i still need a very depoendable ride but i'm in the under $9~10k price range. are there engine/transmissions to avoid? are there certain years or "packages" to avoid (orvis/laredo... etc?)

what are your favorites and what have you found to last the best.
thanks for your help.

i think it might also be kinda cool to own only jeep 4x4's
(my brothers/sisters/parents think we're nuts to do it! but they all drive honda/toyota sedans ) ... so sensable

this post also appears in the cherokee forum, i'm just fishing for information. my apologies to all those offended by duplicate/reposting

Seriously.. If you can find a grand with a 4.0 and a 242 Transfercase you will be set.. (242=2WD-4 Fulltime- 4 Parttime- N- 4Lo)

The only reason I am not recomending the V8 is because it comes with a 249 and they are known to have problems..

For $9000 you can easily get a Grand.. probobly as new as 98/Possibly even a 99...

Good luck...Oh if you plan on using it off road.. Might want to steer towards the 98 or older.. Since the 99 and up. (WJ's) started having a crazy triangulated rear suspension thing..
The ZJ's will have the same suspension as your TJ.._________________BONE STOCKUnless you include the sawzall work..

Fer sure go with a Grand Cherokee, they rock!
hehe, and speaking from experience, unless you want to mess with doing a Transfercase swap, go with the 4.0, I have the V8 5.2 liter and it totally kicks butt now, but I had to do that TC swap.. it wasn't a ton of fun..

I picked up my 95GC Limited for $5,500 - which, adding the $300 for the new Tcase, wasn't such a bad deal I guess considering this beast runs like a beauty now and the interior leather is just about PERFECT.